What are Benefic and Malefic Planets in Astrology?

by The AstroTwins

Each of the seven planets in our solar system has its own unique astrological traits. The planets are also assigned to two groups in many types of astrology: benefic and malefic planets.

In the simplest terms, a benefic planet in your birth chart means “good” or positive influences and malefic, well, means “bad” and negative (or, as we prefer to say, challenging).

Benefic and malefic planets play a more prominent role in Vedic astrology and Greek mythology. In Western astrology, the influence of benefics and malefics are not considered as heavily, but they’re helpful to understanding your birth chart—and astrological transits—more fully.

In short, benefic planets have pleasant influences and malefic planets present difficulties to overcome.

Venus and Jupiter are considered to be benefics for their helpful and positive impact. Mars and Saturn are the two malefics, as their influence can bring intense and jarring events that cause more stress than ease.

Benefic planets: Venus and Jupiter

The benefic planets are said to bring good fortune.

Jupiter supports your good practices

Venus supports how you interact with others, your interpersonal relationships

Malefic planets: Mars and Saturn

The malefic planets are said to interfere with the benefic planets.

Mars represents tension and the downside of anything positive happening in your life

Saturn is the baggage you carry, a reminder of how heavy it can be as you walk through life

Not classified

Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto aren’t technically assigned, but they can be considered malefic when in difficult aspect (distance between the planets).

The moon and the Sun, while not technically planets, are also sometimes considered to be benefic.

Your can do a free birth chart to find where the planets are in your chart and the houses they influence.

Vedic astrology takes the benefics and malefics a step further and assigns them traits by your ascendant sign.